The damage wrought by massive flooding in Mindanao due to the onslaught of tropical storm "Dante" is now at P14.6 million, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said Wednesday, June 2, citing initial result of the assessment.

According to the latest bulletin of the agency, the damage covered 616 hectares of agricultural areas in SOCCSKSARGEN and Caraga regions. This translates to around 500 metric tons of production losses.
Affected commodities include rice and corn, the agency added.
The biggest damage was at rice production with P13.1 million since the affected areas covered at least 540 hectares of rice field. The damage cost on corn is at P1.45 million.
The Agriculture department said they will later provide assistance to affected farmers and fisherfolk. Among the interventions are the access to Quick Response Fund (QRF) for the rehabilitation of affected areas; rice, corn and assorted vegetable seeds from affected regions; and drugs and biologics for livestock and poultry needs.
They will also be given access to Survival and Recovery (SURE) Loan Program of Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) and available funds from the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) to indemnify affected farmers.